Acts of Emerging
Design Research
Distabling Bodies in Space
Rethinking Movement and Power
This workshop invites participants to delve into the intersection of physical movement, spatial design, and power dynamics within institutional environments. The workshop aims to stimulate critical thinking about how our bodies interact with and are influenced by the spaces we inhabit, particularly within institutional and urban contexts. The workshop will kick off with dynamic movement exercises designed to encourage participants to reflect on their embodied experiences within institutional spaces. These exercises will be complemented by theoretical discussions on the design of spaces and cities, exploring how architectural and urban planning choices can shape and perpetuate power structures and societal orders.
Through guided reflections and group discussions, participants will explore moments when "the city" or "the institution" either mobilises or immobilises us physically, emotionally, or socially. By examining these moments, participants will gain insights into the ways in which spatial design can impact our sense of agency, inclusion, and freedom within these environments. The culmination of the workshop will involve a collaborative activity where participants will work together to craft a set of guiding principles that propose innovative ways of moving and interacting within institutional spaces. These principles aim to inspire a new perspective on spatial navigation, advocating for more pluriversal designs in our built environments. Overall, the workshop offers a blend of movement exploration, theoretical inquiry, and creative ideation, inviting participants to reimagine the relationship between bodies, spaces, and power dynamics in our modern cities and institutions.
This activity will be led by Kel Glaister and Georgina Nolan, current PhD candidates at RMIT. They are both investigating urban environments as spaces for play, public engagement, and pluriversality.